Stories from Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Mary Frances Fanning Duke, 63, of Shelbyvile died Tuesday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Hillcrest Funeral Home with the Rev. Jay Pope officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Hillcrest Funeral Home.

M. Novella Claybourne, 75, of Dayton, Ohio, died Saturday. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at College Hill Community Church in Dayton with pastor Robert E. Jones officiating. Burial will follow at West Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services. She was the brother of Alvin Rippy, of Shelbyville.

Friends of the Argie Cooper Public Library hosted the 2008 Author's Luncheon at noon Tuesday at the Blue Ribbon Circle to update the community about the progress of Shelbyville's future library. "Because you're here, we know you're a supporter of the new library," Jenni Feldhaus, chair of the Argie Cooper Library board, said. "We have been at this for 10 years ... it's time to get it cranked up and finished."...

A 79-year-old Shelbyville man has been charged with 26 counts of rape of a child. "I guess I've ruined what's left of my life," J.W. Frazier, Carney Street, allegedly told Shelbyville police detective Charles Merlo upon his arrest. Frazier confessed to the allegations, Merlo said...

A tearful Ashley Cook took the stand in her own defense Tuesday, saying she fired the shots that killed Bill Ross, but changed her story from her two previous written statements to investigators, claiming the murder was not premeditated. During the second day of the trial, defense attorneys for Cook repeatedly tried to place the blame for the murder of Ross on his wife Kimberly instead of the woman who has admitted pulling the trigger, saying Cook was manipulated into committing the crime by "the mom I never had.". ...

United Way's Spooktacular 5K run/walk, as well as a health fair sponsored by the Bedford County Health Council, will take place alongside Child Safety Day at the Shelbyville Recreation Center on Saturday, Oct. 25. Whether your focus is physical, mental, spiritual or financial well-being, the activities are sure to provide something for everyone...

Municipalities across Tennessee are reacting to the nation's economic crisis, as well as a recent report from the governor's office that projected a 3 percent decrease in sales tax revenue. At the Bedford County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday night, County Mayor Eugene Ray proposed fiscal caution to "buying things we don't need, until the first of the year... This means no raises, no promotions."...

Two persons who attempted to rob an East Depot Street business Friday received an unexpected surprise when an employee refused to hand over the money, Shelbyville police said. A representative of Reliford Poultry told police a man and woman arrived as employees were being paid and demanded they "hand over all the money."...

Most all coaches would agree, the only way to improve is to play better competition. According to the latest TSSAA enrollment figures, Lincoln County has exactly 1,002 more students than Cascade. Lady Champion coach Patricia Petty hoped that Tuesday's non-district foe took advantage of having hundreds more ladies to choose from in putting together their soccer team and would give Cascade a challenge as they finish up their schedule before the postseason...

Hoping for a shot at the 2012 Olympics, a Shelbyville trap shooter has completed four days of intensive training and evaluation by coaches at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Cory Smith, 15, was among 18 youths invited to the 2008 Junior Olympic Development Camp last weekend...

Four Webb golfers earned the right to compete in the individual portion of the Division II Class A state golf tournament at Old Fort Golf Course in Murfreesboro. Each had a respectable showing in the first day of play. Sutton Jones turned in the top score for the Feet by stroking a 91. Blake Cocanougher followed with a 98. Garrett King scored a 108...

Someone brought the newsroom a plate of barbecued wings the other day and, being reporters, we dove in. A johnny-come-lately stuck her head around the corner and said "I heard you've got wings?" "Mmwha wnnngszzzh?" Which, when you can swallow a mouthful of chicken and finally enunciate, translates as "What wings?"...

Marion 'Butch' Comstock, 66, of Shelbyville, died Monday at his home after a brief illness. At his request, he was cremated. No services will be held.

Russell Crouch, 65, of Christiana, died Monday. Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Murfreesboro Funeral Home with Gaylon Dawson officiating. Burial will follow at Smotherman Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at Murfreesboro Funeral Home.